15 people, mostly Muslims were arrested after a fight broke out at Playland Park over the wearing of a hijab, or head covering for the Muslim women in attendance who were celebrating the last day of Ramadan.
We weren't there, we don't know how the fight started, who threw the first punch etc. We don't know. We're not here to talk about that portion of the story.
The women were told they couldn't wear hijab's on certain rides. Specifically they were told they couldn't get on the Catch-a-Wave ride, the Crazy Mouse roller coaster and the Dragon Coaster because of a safety issue with their hijab. The park employees even told them if they were upset they could go get their money back at the front gate.
Fair enough.
It was at this point the fight started. Look people, two words, Isadora Duncan. Do you know how she died? Her scarf was flowing in the breeze out the back of her Bugatti in 1927 when it caught in the wheel and pulled sharply to the right snapping her neck. Reasons like this are why you cannot wear your hijab on certain rides. Make note here, the park didn't say you couldn't ride all the rides, just certain ones. You know, rides where your hijab might get caught and snap your neck.
There is some ugly anti-Muslim sentiment in this country, 99.9% unfounded (see 51 Park as an example), we just don't see that as the case here...
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In an article in the Ossining-CrotonOnHudsonPatch article dated August 30, 2011 Peter Tartaglia, deputy commissioner of Westchester County Parks stated that a part of the rules and regulations on certain rides that "any sort of headgear cannot be worn for safety issues because it can become a projectile". Where in that statement is a Hajib specified? Also in the same article, the group was advised before going to the park they had those specific rules and regulations.
So once again, this group is stating they are being targeting for their religious status when in fact, they outright broke the rules that were in place for everybody's safety.
Its unconscionable that this group think that people and/or companies will bow down to their choosen beliefs.
Agreed on principle Anonymous. I too think the rules were there for safety reasons. Just as I feel that if you'd like a driver's license you need to show your face and not have it covered, it's simply how things are done in this American culture. If I lived in Pakistan and the rules say I need a beard I'd grow one (and my wife would still hate it lol).
Now, I also disapprove when Christian groups threaten boycotts of parks like Disney that have gay friendly family events when they say Disney shouldn't "cater to gays". Just like you said, why should these companies have to bow down for someone's beliefs.
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